ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for a full-time two-year fellowship position in the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. The Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. The project is currently litigating cases and conducting other advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including political protest, freedom of expression online, privacy of electronic information, journalists’ rights, scientific and academic freedom, the free speech rights of noncitizens, openness in the courts, privacy rights at the border, and the impact of big data and algorithmic decision-making.

The Brennan Fellowship, established by a special gift from author Tom Peters and poet Catherine Abbe and named after retired Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, was created to give people just starting their careers an opportunity to receive training and experience in First Amendment advocacy, and to help the ACLU advance its First Amendment goals. The Brennan Fellow will function as an integral part of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, and will work on our extensive docket of First and Fourth Amendment cases. This is a two-year fellowship position, and starts in Fall 2027.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by October 1, 2026.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Brennan Fellow's

will include, but will not be limited to, the following: Participating in litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including conducting legal and factual research, interviewing clients, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assisting in discovery and motion practice Assisting in drafting amicus curiae briefs Providing support for ACLU affiliate litigation Serving as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work Advancing ACLU policy goals through public education and through organizing and participating in coalitions Helping manage summer legal internship program and supervising student interns Engaging in special projects and other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Skill at performing complex legal analytical work Demonstrated commitment to public-interest law Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team Ability to self-start and excellent interpersonal skills Knowledge of First and/or Fourth Amendment issues is preferred, but not required

COMPENSATION

The ACLU has a litigator scale that determines pay for attorneys in our Legal Department.

William J. Brennan Fellowship, Speech, Privacy & Technology Project